So now she has a beloved cylinder to carry around and bang on everything in sight.
28 February 2009
Once Upon a Time...
So now she has a beloved cylinder to carry around and bang on everything in sight.
27 February 2009
What Mom?
New Toys!
Ellie was given a whole slew of new toys - and just in time since it's snowing today! I set this walking one up and she immediately started pushing. She pushed it around, crashing into everything for a good 15 minutes last night. I was glad for the entertainment, but because it's a walking toy and she was such a pro right away, I was also a little sad. She's getting big so quickly! What fun!
26 February 2009
25 February 2009
Walking !?!
I'm not prepared for her to really start walking yet, so I'm hoping this stage lasts a long time... Unfortunately for me, though, as she was playing in our bedroom last night she took a step by herself, without holding onto anything. It was just one step, but now it feels like anything is possible. Today she stood for a good 30 seconds all by herself. Instead of crashing to the ground, she did an extremely controlled squat down. As I watched her I was definitely envious of her quads - she's one strong little thing. Sometimes I wish this kid would slow down a little bit!
Seth is off in Washington DC this week for a conference, so Ellie and I are roughing it at home together. When he gets back we have a whole lot more "baby"proofing to do around here! Along with that, I've finally lived in this house long enough to better understand what I need to have where... so although we just moved in, I think we're in for a whole new round of organizing.
24 February 2009
Our Day in Pictures
Now I look down and notice Ellie has taken everything out of the box I just packed for Jeff and Emily... I think she needs to learn how to put things INTO boxes, bins and drawers now. We love you and miss you - have a good evening!
New Clothes
23 February 2009
22 February 2009
A Grand Visit
The main reason for our slacking was a wonderful visit from Grandma and Grandpa Sargent. My parents came out here to Sheridan for my mom's President's Week Break from school and we all had a good time. It only snowed two times while they were here, so there weren't any major traveling difficulities.
We spent the week chatting, knitting, working on the computers, checking out Sheridan, watching a busy Eleanor learning a million new things and baking bread. My parents also took a trip up through the Big Horn Mountains. Ellie and I were planning to go, but I had neglected to take care of some important around-the-house tasks and therefore opted to stay home. All in all it was a very low-key time, but it was really good to see them, catch up on each other's lives and have Eleanor get in some good grandparent time.
Although we were around the house a lot, I neglected to take many pictures. These were taken on the first and last days of their visit. First, mom feeding Ellie banana (she's become a real beggar and loves taking bites for herself). And last, me finally grabbing the camera and telling my dad to pose for me since we didn't have any pics of grandpa and Eleanor together. Ellie loved having them around, getting the extra attention, etc. Oh yeah, and the random one in the middle is just a pic of typical Eleanor. She's taken to grabbing the measuring spoons out of my baking drawer and hauls them around the house. She's often found with one in her mouth and another in her hand... and Mom and Dad, do you have any idea where Ellie's pastry brush ended up?
14 February 2009
11 February 2009
Finger Painting!
It turned out to be a good recipe for finger paint. If you're interested:
1/4 c cornstarch
2 c cold water
Boil together until thick and creamy. Add a few drops of dish soap (for clean-up's sake). Transfer to small containers and add a few drops of food coloring. Mix until you get the colors you desire. Let cool before using.
Ellie and I painted on freezer paper because I had some left over. It worked well. I loved that she could decide to eat the paint (oh yum) and I didn't have to worry about it.
10 February 2009
High Fives
09 February 2009
9 Months
05 February 2009
Thankful...
Today I'm again learning a lesson from God regarding attitude, perspective and gratefulness. Our furnace went out last night - again - and our house is FREEZING cold. Of course, my first instinct was to be frustrated, annoyed and anxious about repair costs/the need to purchase a new one. But, luckily, with a little attitude adjustment I'm doing much better. Here are the things I'm thankful for today:
Our house, Eleanor, strong legs for walking and running, a beautiful, sun-shiny day (45ish degrees), a quick response by the repair man (although we still don't have heat) and the freedom to do whatever we want with our afternoon.
P.S. Happy Birthday Jeffrey!
**Update (3:15 PM): We returned from a walk to a warming house... and then the electricity shut off. I hope I'll be able to start the furnace again manually (as in banging it with a screw driver). The parts have been ordered to fix the furnace and should arrive tomorrow by noon. The repair man will be back here to install them tomorrow afternoon.
Tagged Again
"I was tagged, and as I was reading through this list it brought back a lot of great memories," wrote my sister in law. Well, I felt the same way, so here it goes:
The things on this list I've done are in bold.
Started your own blog - now we're on to number 2
Slept under the stars - on the way to Yosemite... and as I recall, woke up in the middle of the night because my head was facing down a small hill - quite uncomfortable!
Played in a band
Visited Hawaii
Watched a meteor shower - Several times, but the one that sticks out was on the soccer field at GFU
Given more than you can afford to charity
Been to Disneyland/world - Hmm. When I was 7. Then Disneyworld when I was 15. Then back to Disneyland as a graduation trip. And again to Disneyland with Seth, Amanda and Kayli when Seth was in grad school. After that trip Seth and I promised each other we wouldn't go again until we had a child of our own...
Climbed a mountain
Held a praying mantis - kinda creepy, but cool
Sang a solo
Bungee jumped
Visited Paris - one of my favorite travel memories with my dad
Watched a lightning storm at sea
Taught yourself an art from scratch
Adopted a child
Had food poisoning
Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
Seen the Mona Lisa in France
Slept on an overnight train - ahh, to be on our way to Prague again! But, I definitely don't miss the scary border guards who wake you up demanding passports! And I seem to remember I had a terrible migraine... yuck.
Had a pillow fight - of course!
Hitchhiked - In the wonderful green of Ireland
Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
Built a snow fort
Held a lamb
Gone skinny dipping
Been to a Broadway show in NY
Ran a Marathon - only half...
Been in three states at once -ridden in a gondola in Venice
Seen a total eclipse
Watched a sunrise or sunset
Hit a home run
Been on a Cruise - to Alaska
Seen Niagra Falls in Person - on a trip around the US with my fam when I was about 15
Visited the birthplace of your Ancestors
Seen an Amish community - thanks to family in Iowa
Taught yourself a new language - does C++ or Java count?
Had enough money to be truly satisfied - "that's a hard one...but yes, I think I'm satisfied." I agree, Emily.
Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person - I think we even have a couple of pics of my brother and I trying to hold it up...
Gone rock climbing
Seen Michelangelo’s David
Sung karaoke
Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt - no, but I will this summer!!!
Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
Visited Africa
Walked on a beach by moonlight - one of my favorite times and places
Been transported in an ambulance
Gone deep sea fishing - and ate a million saltines trying not to throw up from sea sickness. Yuck.
Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
Kissed in the rain - this one is particularly important to my "married" status :)
Played in the mud - I think my brother recently reminded us of one "boot eating mud" incident... although by the end of that experience I'm not sure it could be called playing exactly
Been to Grace Kelley’s grave in Monaco
Gone to a drive-in theater
Visited the Great Wall of China
Started a business
Taken a martial arts class
Swam in the Mediterranean Sea
Visited Russia
Served at a soup kitchen
Sold Girl Scout cookies
Gone whale watching
Gotten flowers for no reason
Donated blood, platelets or plasma
Gone sky diving
Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - a couple actually. Important experiences.
Bounced a check
Saved a favorite childhood toy
Visited the Lincoln Memorial
Eaten Caviar
Pieced a quilt
Stood in Times Square
Toured the Everglades
Been fired from a job
Seen the Changing of the Guards in London - several times
Broken a bone - pinky finger, so sad but true
Been on a speeding motorcycle - The moment that comes most vividly to mind involves hanging on for "dear life" while traveling over the pass to Sisters, OR for Jeff and Emily's wedding. Of course, I wasn't really in any danger, but the wind sure made it feel like that!
Seen the Grand Canyon in person - but I was too little to remember
Published a book
Visited the Vatican
Bought a brand new car
Walked in Jerusalem
Had your picture in the newspaper - You gotta love the Alien Party at McMinnamins in McMinnville... I believe my face was painted green. How embarassing!
Read the entire Bible
Visited the White House
Killed and prepared my own meat
Had chickenpox
Saved someone’s life
Sat on a jury
Met someone famous
Joined a book club
Lost a loved one
Had a baby
Seen the Alamo in person
Swam in the Great Salt Lake - NO WAY! IT STINKS!
Been involved in a law suit
Owned a cell phone
Been stung by a bee